Ceiling access covers

Manhole cover or access cover, what's yours called?

Back in 1983 we wanted to differentiate our product from the cast iron manhole cover that was used to cover external drains. We decided on the term access cover because that is what it was doing – providing access.

At Howe Green we have been manufacturing high quality fabricated metal access covers since 1983. Our first access cover was the 750 Series. It was developed specifically for the supermarkets, the majority of which had Terrazzo tiled floors.

The 750 Series floor access cover enabled the supermarkets to have easy and safe access to concealed services such as cabling for electrics and heating.

Back in 1983 we wanted to differentiate our product from the cast iron manhole cover that was used to cover external drains. We decided on the term access cover because that is what it was doing – providing access. The term access covers was used in all our marketing communications material. (Although we have to confess that being asked the question what do you do "down the pub" on a Friday night the answer would generally be "make manhole covers". It's just a bit easier to explain than access cover!)

From the 750 Series our product portfolio grew with new access covers being added in response to customer requirements. We soon had a full range of small, medium and large floor access covers available in stainless steel or aluminium as single covers, ducts or multi parts. Then came wall access panels and ceiling hatches.

Where ever access to concealed services was required Howe Green could devise a solution. Very often it was a bespoke solution to fit specific requirements.

Over the years we have been involved with some high profile buildings and projects and our access covers can be found inside Heathrow T5, Buckingham Palace, Old Trafford, The Cutty Sark and London Bridge Station.

It seems rather demeaning to call these beautiful creations in such high profile locations manhole covers! Yet that is how many people in our industry refer to them. This set us thinking about whether the terms manhole cover and access cover are really interchangeable or if there are any real differences between the two.

What are they used for?

A manhole cover is generally used to cover the entrance to a drain or chamber. Its purpose is to stop people or material falling down the hole and to prevent unauthorised access.

An access cover is typically used to allow access to concealed services such as drainage, electrical wiring, data cables, stop cocks or any manner of services.

Big or small?

Most of the access covers we manufacture are large enough for a person to get through. The HSE75 hinged floor access cover is particularly useful where regular and convenient access is required and is available as standard in sizes up to 1000mm.

The biggest access covers we have manufactured were some 4000mm x 4000mm multipart covers. Our smallest access cover is the Maghatch which is a wall access panel available in a standard size of 210mm x 210mm. Manhole covers are also available in lots of different sizes. Their size will depend on the type of access required.

Round or square?

Manhole covers come in all sort of designs and shapes – circular, square, rectangular, even triangular! The majority of the floor access covers that we have produced since 1983 have been square or rectangular. However we do have the capability to manufacture circular access covers and in 2014 we supplied a bespoke circular floor access cover for the British Museum. We would be happy to try our hand at a triangular floor access cover if that provided the best solution for our customer.

Did you know…

Internal or external use?

Manhole covers are often found outside but they can also be used inside, just as our medium duty, heavy duty and hinged floor access covers can be used as easily internally or externally.

Load bearing?

Manhole covers are generally made from cast iron, ductile iron or galvanised steel. They are heavy because they need to withstand heavy traffic. Our access covers are available in stainless steel or aluminium and can be filled with all types of flooring – from ceramic tiles to wood, or concrete to granite. Our heavy duty access cover has a 6.5 tonne load bearing and can withstand vehicle traffic.

It seems the definition of access covers and manhole covers is not that clear cut, the lines are blurred. However unless we can adopt the phrase "posh" manhole cover we think we'll stick to the term access covers for now!

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WALL ACCESS COVERS

Floor access cover skate

Suitable for use with all Howe Green floor access covers
Simple, convenient and extremely portable,the Howe Green access cover skate allows one person to move even the heaviest of covers on their own – safely, quickly and easily.